Weekly Update – October 9th, 2025
Many times, the worship service may seem like a sort of break for tired and weary parents. This time could provide an hour for parents to refresh, listen and fellowship with others while their children are being cared for and taught by a loving teacher. That is why on the outset, the idea of having children in the worship service may not always seem that appealing. Some may think that it is an inconvenience to parents and other church members, while others may think that children only need teaching that is specifically geared toward them. Currently, we only have a nursery that is designed for infants to 3 years old. Sure, this helps our nursery schedule out, but the bigger and more intentional reason behind this, is for the spiritual development of our children. Nevertheless, despite the challenges children may bring, let me offer you four reasons as to why we, at First Baptist Church, intentionally have children in the Sunday morning worship service.
First, having children in our worship service teaches them how to worship. Matthew 28:18-20 calls us to make disciples of all nations. We could take this to literally mean that we are called to disciple all people. In the discipleship role that every follower of Christ is commissioned with, one of the clearest opportunities we have is with our children. Does this mean that every child should be in some sort of one on one discipleship program with an adult? That could be helpful, but one of the clearest ways to disciple is simply worshipping with our children. When children are brought into the worship service with adults, they have a clear opportunity to be discipled as they hear the gospel preached and they witness its effects on men and women of all ages and backgrounds sitting next to them. From here, children see what it looks like to respond to God through song, pray to God with others, and they see what commitment to Christ looks like through baptism and the Lord’s supper.
Second, having children in our worship service connects them to the church. Imagine the culture shock of a child who has been in church all of his or her life but has never sat through an entire worship service. Perhaps he has played games every Sunday, sang fun songs, and had every message or Bible story illustrated for them while he receives candy. Well then suddenly the child turns 12, and he has graduated to big church. No longer are there any games, and he doesn’t know all of these people who are older than him. Church is now something he is not used to, and in many cases might be hard to sit through. Plus, the only adults who know him are the ones who have volunteered in children’s ministry. Having children sit through the service at a young age teaches them how to sing songs of our faith, listen to a sermon and be a part of the church community before they get older and think that church is here to entertain them and the main service with adults is simply boring.
Third, having children in our worship service provides gospel opportunities for parents. I understand that our children won’t understand everything expressed through the readings, singing and preaching, but that is okay. I also understand that one of the reasons to provide younger children with their own teaching is to communicate to them on their level. But what we miss with children separated from the main worship service is the opportunity to explain truths that they don’t understand. That is why it is okay if they don’t get everything. And even if our children don’t get everything, at least they see and watch people around them who place an importance upon knowing and receiving the word of God. In worship we have the opportunity to give our children a glimpse into eternity as they join with God’s people worshipping together. And though they won’t get everything, they may at least be prompted to want to know why you think worship is important and why there is hope within your heart. From there, parents are given additional opportunities to talk about gospel truth as they ask their children what they thought about the service on a given Sunday.
I know from experience that having children in the worship service is not the easiest thing to do, but the difficulty a parent may have is worth enduring. Sure, a child may claim that they are bored from time to time, but the week in and week out commitment is worth it, for what is being built will last for a lifetime in that child. Plus, our desire as a church is to equip and empower parents as the primary discipler of their children, and including them in the main service is a key way to do that. Discipleship is sometimes messy, it takes time and it may cost us a bit of sacrifice. That is why there are special children’s bulletins and binders with activities available to help our children adjust to sitting in the worship service if any of our children would like one. Lord willing, we long for what we do as a church to not only impact adults, but to see the next generation know and love Jesus through their commitment and service to the local church.
Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson

Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson
Fighter Verse for the Week
Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.
- Proverbs 4:25-27
Announcements:
Congratulations!: Alexander Apollos Wild was born on Tuesday, October 7th to Gideon and Heather Wild Alexander was 10lbs 7oz and 23 inches tall.
Building Remodel: We have officially kicked off our fundraiser! There are commitment cards available in the sanctuary as well as in the welcome center. Feel free to pick up one and return it to one an available basket. If you would like to give a one time or a reoccurring gift, you can do so HERE and select “building remodel.” You can also give through one of the offering boxes at church. Be sure to mark your envelop, “building remodel.” Check out a video highlighting the work done so far.
Sunday Evening Service: Our first Sunday evening service of the fall will be on Sunday, October 12th at 6:00pm. On this evening, we will pray together and as Daniel Holsten preaches from 1 John 4:1-6.
Membership Matters Class: Beginning Sunday, October 5th, there will be a Membership Matters Class for those interested in joining FBC. This will be a 4-week class (10/5, 10/12, 10/19, 10/26), meeting at 9:15am during our Equipping/Sunday School hour. You can find out more about our membership process HERE.
Men’s Retreat: On Friday, October 24th – Saturday, October 25th we will host our 2nd Men’s Retreat at God’s Mountain Camp. Cost will be $45. Sign up in the hall today!
Fall Festival: On Sunday, October 26th from 5:00-7:00pm, we will host a fall festival at the church. We will have trunk or treat, dessert, hot chocolate and a fire pit. Help us fill up our candy barrel before the event, and sign up in the hall to help on that night.
Women’s Bible Study: This will be a 8-week study of Proverbs: The Way of Wisdom by various Bible teachers. Morning and evening sessions will be held on Tuesdays, at 9:30am and 6:00pm, beginning on September 9th. Details are on the bulletin board.
Men’s Study: On the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month, from 8:00-9:15pm, the church hosts a men’s study through the book, The Measure of a Man. See Clint Blankenship for more information.
Food Pantry: The food pantry is currently in need of some food items. For a complete list of food pantry needs, click HERE.
Awana Bible Club
Awana Clubs are held on Wednesdays throughout the school year. Dinner is at 6:00pm with Awana Clubs starting at 6:30pm. Children can be registered HERE.
Equipping Hour
We have three classes held at 9:15am on Sunday mornings. “Firm Foundations” meets in the Sanctuary, a study in Isaiah in the Fellowship Hall, and a Ladies’ class studying the New Testament meets in the classroom next to the nursery. You can find more information HERE.
Giving
To Give Online, Go HERE.
You can also mail your offering to: 1416 Main Street, Grandview, MO. 64030
Home Groups
Home Groups typically meet on the first and third Sunday of each month. Please contact Pastor Michael if you would like to join a Home Group. You can find more information HERE.
Prayer
An updated Prayer Guide can be accessed HERE.
Prepare for Sunday
Guide for Worship can be found HERE.
Worship Service
Worship Service begins at 10:30am on Sunday mornings. Nursery care for children ages 0-4 years is available during the worship hour.
Livestream
Continue to join us at 10:30am on Sunday mornings.
YouTube: HERE.
Join us and invite a friend or family member to watch with you.
Sunday School
Children and Youth Sunday School take place at 9:15am on Sunday mornings.
Ages 0-2 and 3–k meet in the nursery suite.
Grades 1-3rd meet upstairs in U-5.
Grades 4th-6th meet upstairs in U-6.
Grades 7th-12th meet downstairs in the youth room.